Birdwatching does not require, as one might assume, an in-depth knowledge of fowls. Curiosity, sharp observation skills, and a present focus are all that are necessary for this hobby. Last spring, Jason and I attended the Great Salt Lake Bird Festival, a birdwatching pageant, for the second time. Did we have what it takes to look at birds? Read on, and all will be revealed.

There are over 50 billion birds on this planet. Yet, they are a part of the environment that usually goes unnoticed. They become background noise, often literally, to the more “important” stimuli that occupy our attention. Birdwatching encourages you to slow down and be more aware of your surroundings, all the things you miss in your hurried life. Focusing on the world of the winged almost becomes a meditation, and like meditation, bird watching has been scientifically proven to decreases stress and improve well-being.

While identifying birds is a satisfying part of birdwatching, it isn’t compulsory for enjoyment of this interest. The habits of birds and the motivations behind those habits are what it is all about, labeling matters less than perceiving. You may not know if you are looking at a house finch or a barn sparrow, but you can still wonder about the purpose of its calls, modes of movement, social behaviors, and feather patterns.

In springtime, many birds stop at the Great Salt Lake, the biggest saline lake in the entire Western Hemisphere and the largest lake west of the Mississippi, during their annual migration. It is critical to birds’ yearly travels because it is the greatest (pun totally intended) body of inland water on the Pacific Flyway, a major north-south migratory path. Like this unique body of water, the Great Salt Lake Bird Festival is fairly remarkable.

We attended two field trips at the festival this year, one in Croydon and one on Antelope Island. Over decades, a family in Croydon has turned a section of their expansive backyard into a bird metropolis. A number of species are attracted to the seeds, fruit, and nectar offered. We noted these birds for over an hour and discussed their habits with a group of like-minded eyewitnesses.

Antelope Island, the largest of the Great Salt Lake’s islands, is home to a sizeable population of burrowing owls. Burrowing owls, unlike other owls, are often active during the day, and incidentally, they are also small, fluffy, and adorable. During our field trip, we spotted many, along with a family of great horned owls.

Curiosity is one of my constants. Slowing down, on the other hand, is a characteristic I struggle mastering. Still, next spring, you are likely to find Jason and me at the Great Salt Lake Bird Festival again concentrating on the layers of feathery drama around us and practicing our appreciation of the moments.